SAFA suspend South Africa coach Mashaba

The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced the suspension of Bafana Bafana head coach Shakes Mashaba with immediate effect.

The association confirmed that Mashaba has not travelled to Mozambique for Tuesday's matches for disciplinary reasons.

Owen Da Gama will be in charge of the national team in Maputo, having served his own one-match ban against Senegal.

"Bafana Bafana Head Coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba will not join the team on their trip to Mozambique as the Association has deemed it necessary to employ disciplinary measures after a regrettable incident at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, 12 November 2016," reads the statement released by SAFA.

"Assistant Coach Owen da Gama will take charge of the team in the above-mentioned international friendly match against Mozambique on Tuesday, 15 November 2016 in Maputo."

"As is our custom in matters such as these, the association will not be making any further comments on this matter out of respect for the dignity of the Head Coach and the Association and the legally privileged nature of such proceedings."

In a statement sent by Dennis Mumble to the SAFA national executive committee (NEC) members on Sunday, the SAFA CEO said Mashaba had to be disciplined after “the unpleasant events” after Saturday's game against Senegal in Polokwane.

“Following some unpleasant events after the match of the men’s senior national team (Bafana Bafana) at Peter Mokaba Stadium yesterday, I had to meet with head coach, Ephraim Mashaba today (Sunday) to commence disciplinary steps against him,” Mumble said in the statement.

“As a result of yesterday’s events, I was forced to place the head coach on suspension with immediate effect pending a full disciplinary hearing.

“As has been policy in matters involving staff discipline, we will not respond to media enquiries except for issuing a brief statement to alert the public to the absence of the head coach from the bench for Tuesday’s friendly match against the Mozambican men’s senior national team.

“This is necessary to safeguard the dignity of the head coach and the Association in this process.

“Coach Mashaba has however asked that we convey to the NEC, and the president of the Association, in particular, his sincerest apologies if he has offended anyone and he unreservedly asked for forgiveness for Saturday’s actions.”

Mashaba's future has been up in the air for quite some time, but his team's win over Senegal eased pressure on the 66-year-old coach.